DATE: Victorian, c,.1870

A cool antique AEI locket with silver lettering set on black jet. It dates from the mid Victorian period, circa 1870, clearly intended as a mourning/memorial piece. It's a good size (6.5 x 4.1cm) and contains two locks of hair inside behind the original glass. Amity, Eternity, Infinity. The AEI sentiment was popular throughout the Victorian period as a representation of eternal love conquering even death. This is my favoured interpretation, however some suggest the AEI references the Greek word "aei", meaning for now and forever. They essentially amount to the same thing.

STONES 

Jet

MEASUREMENTS 

6.4 x 4.1cm (including bail)

WEIGHT 

38.4g

MARKS 

No marks present, tests as sterling silver

CONDITION 

Good, there's some light wear commensurate with age and two cracks to the front of the jet (not really noticable)